Best trail tires?

Jan 18, 2017
91
15
50
Maine
I live in northern Maine, and the trails around here can be pretty brutal sometimes. You can go from a dirt road to sandy trails to formula rock crawling within a football fields distance, not to mention mud and water in the spring, early summer. My dads Blaster has Maxxis All Traks on the back, some Maxxis on the front, great tires but even he bottoms out sometimes, they're both 22's. Mine are basically worn out and 21's so any tires you'd recommend? I was thinking All Traks on the back, 22's, and Kenda Kutter XC on the front, also 22's. I'd love to do 20's but I like my rear disc brakes and chain if you know what I mean lol.
 
I run Mud Sharks. Freaking things last a long time. Massive grip. Just a opinion.
 
They look awesome but I guess they were discontinued? Can't find them on any site, except one which had them out of stock and price at 0.00 lol. Right now I'm thinking I might just cut my losses and run 20's back and front. Only way I'd be able to run good all around tires would be to buy 10 inch rims which all cost way to much money lol.
 
22's are a big improvement in handling up front, 20's get me thru on the rear.
Carlise Trail Hawks and Maxxiz Razr2's.

More important than size for rocks, you'll want 6 ply tires......or a large quantity of tire plugs and fix-a-flat
 
i would say kenda bear claws... there 6 ply and they look cool and they have a good tread and good reviews
 
That's actually what I'm gonna do. Found out Alba has chromed beadlock rims for like 70 a pop or something like that? Pretty sweet deal, I'm gonna pair them with Kenda Kutter Cross Country (XC) 21 on the front and 20 on the back. 6 ply, pretty good reviews, supposedly they are insane for traction in everything except hard pack dirt (Which isn't a problem where I am lol)
 
Not on my Blaster but I had a set of Kutter XC's on my YFZ450. I don't think you would be unsatisfied with these kenda tires. They clean out well and hook awesome. Good traction on rocky and muddy trails, and I never had a problem slipping.
 
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Howdy Thomas.
I am probably running in the same climate as you.
I just switched to Kenda Pathfinders on my 240 Blaster. I am running Banshee rims and hubs.
14900540_10154520004810803_6909091647432354518_n.jpg

I have also run ITP MudLites on my KTM Blaster with good luck
These are on Blaster rims.
576309_10150946179840803_1788770621_n.jpg

This is an overly powerful Blaster that relies on float and spin to get over deep mud.
With these swingarm machines once you drag bottom, you are stuck.
You have to float, not dig.

I stuck some short (#6?) sheet metal screws in 2 rows of the edges of the knobs to grab the ice:
16406976_10154814609360803_5229586302719189409_n.jpg

This is not enough screws for ice racing but is plenty for braking and icy slopes.
The worst is breaking through 1" of ice on flooded trail and trying to climb up the wet slab.
This many screws will do it. When worn off, I chuck more in.

You need a soft compliant tire to float over the mud and snow.
A heavy tough deeply treaded tire is not needed and works worse, even on a 100 lbs heavier machine.

16472961_10154819056680803_6252330155647783343_n.jpg


To get over deep snow you need low tire pressure. I'd suggest 2.5psi to 3psi.
You float over the snow on flat patches of rubber.
Digging to the bottom is no good after 3" on a Blaster.

16508122_10154819056360803_4589949171893885998_n.jpg


I have 4-6" in the woods at this time and I can run around on it like nobody's business.
The soft tires and snow suck up a lot of power, but traction is not a problem.

Happy Trails!
16427247_10154819056445803_1483421649863555225_n.jpg
 
Howdy Thomas.
I am probably running in the same climate as you.
I just switched to Kenda Pathfinders on my 240 Blaster. I am running Banshee rims and hubs.
14900540_10154520004810803_6909091647432354518_n.jpg

I have also run ITP MudLites on my KTM Blaster with good luck
These are on Blaster rims.
576309_10150946179840803_1788770621_n.jpg

This is an overly powerful Blaster that relies on float and spin to get over deep mud.
With these swingarm machines once you drag bottom, you are stuck.
You have to float, not dig.

I stuck some short (#6?) sheet metal screws in 2 rows of the edges of the knobs to grab the ice:
16406976_10154814609360803_5229586302719189409_n.jpg

This is not enough screws for ice racing but is plenty for braking and icy slopes.
The worst is breaking through 1" of ice on flooded trail and trying to climb up the wet slab.
This many screws will do it. When worn off, I chuck more in.

You need a soft compliant tire to float over the mud and snow.
A heavy tough deeply treaded tire is not needed and works worse, even on a 100 lbs heavier machine.

16472961_10154819056680803_6252330155647783343_n.jpg


To get over deep snow you need low tire pressure. I'd suggest 2.5psi to 3psi.
You float over the snow on flat patches of rubber.
Digging to the bottom is no good after 3" on a Blaster.

16508122_10154819056360803_4589949171893885998_n.jpg


I have 4-6" in the woods at this time and I can run around on it like nobody's business.
The soft tires and snow suck up a lot of power, but traction is not a problem.

Happy Trails!
16427247_10154819056445803_1483421649863555225_n.jpg
Thanks for your time! I greatly appreciate it. Anyway I'll keep those Kenda Pathfinders in mind, they look pretty cool. I'm gonna wear the tires I have on it out then I'll seriously start looking.